An interview with Ebba Goring, jewellery designer

Friday, 23rd August 2013

This August, our Edinburgh shop have teamed up with Craft Scotland to bring customers a special summer treat: a showcase of the best in Scottish craft on the second floor of our George Street shop. The skill that goes into making each and every beautiful piece is obvious and the standard of craft on display is overwhelmingly high.
We caught up with one of the talented craft makers, jewellery designer Ebba Goring, to find out a bit more about her and her craft. Here’s what she had to say...

How did you get into jewellery making?
I have enjoyed making jewellery since I was about 12 when a family friend gave me a bag of beautiful glass beads from India, I would spend all my pocket money ordering supplies from bead catalogues! It wasn’t until I was doing a jewellery module on my foundation course at Leith School of Art in Edinburgh that I really considered it as a career. There are so many niche skills and processes and endless materials just waiting to be transformed into something to wear and treasure. I went on to specialise in jewellery and metal design for my degree at Duncan Jordanstone College of Art in Dundee and graduated in 2009.

What is your favourite piece of jewellery that you’ve produced?
The most treasured pieces are the wedding rings I made for myself and my husband, his is a simple ribbon cast round a flat ring shank and mine fits against my antique engagement ring like a little lace crown. I only ever make my favourite designs; I don’t think I could make something that I didn’t really love. The pieces I wear most though are the Citrine Scallop Necklace, Silver and CZ Doily Earrings and the 18ct gold vermeil full heart long pendant.

Is this the first time you’ve worked with Craft Scotland?
I was lucky enough to be selected for their first Meet Your Maker exhibition, at the National Museum of Scotland, not long after graduating. It was a beautifully curated exhibition and gained me lots of exposure for my work when I was just starting out. I also sit on the Craft Bench, a group made up of representative maker organisations and individual makers with the purpose of advising Craft Scotland on its programme of activities and the needs of the sector. I would encourage other scottish makers to become a member and apply for their opportunities.

What are your plans for the future?
I will be launching a wedding collection this Autumn and am also working on a new collection for 2014. I have been really inspired by Kinross, where I live, and its connection with Mary Queen of Scots. I love the Jacobean/ Elizabethan jewels so I am working on designs that have a flavour of that but are still based on my signature stitch and crochet textures. You can expect more gold, pearls and precious gemstones.

(Apart from your own!) Whose work is your favourite in the Craft Scotland Exhibition?
One of my all time favourite jewellers is Grainne Morton, I just love everything she makes. I am also very taken with a necklace by Carla Edwards, who makes fun colourful resin jewellery. Because I wear my own designs most of the time, when I don't I often go for something completely different, usually something very colourful and made from non precious materials. I really like a pair of large red earrings made from bike reflectors by Caroline Smith, they are really eye catching.

Did you get chance to see much of Edinburgh whilst you were there?
When I was manning the show last Sunday I did get chance to nip out and have a nice cup of tea at Eteaket on Frederick Street, sitting out in the sunshine, it was wonderful. We only live about 40 minutes away from Edinburgh so we often come into the city to go to the cinema or out for dinner. If it's a sunny afternoon, a picnic in the Botanics is a nice thing to do and there is lots of space for our two year old son to run around. I was born in Edinburgh and lived there for about five years before I went to art school in Dundee. It always feels like home.